Friday, 20 December 2013

Perhaps
it's the awareness that the road ahead is undoubtedly shorter than the road
already travelled; perhaps it's because there are so many projects still to do;
or it’s the realization that there aren't enough days left to accomplish
everything.

Then
you know that each precious day should be treasured and filled to capacity.

As
I look back on 2013, I realize that it's been a busy year - the
highlighted words link to the images and blog posts.

Friday, 13 December 2013

A couple of months ago I made a flippant remark to my sister about holding a workshop while visiting family and friends in South Africa. She had lamented the fact that Australia was a bit too far for her to attend when I had advertised a recent workshop.

The off hand remark became reality on Wednesday with the one day workshop "Ink and Wash".

Before I knew what was happening she had booked the hall and had a full complement of 20 participants signed up! Whew....

So my packing list for the trip had to include pens, ink and watercolours.

The workshop was a variation on a similar one I had held in Brisbane. I knew some of the people but a lot were new to me so trying to set a level for the class was a challenge. I decided on some fun to break the ice and get everyone out of their comfort zones..... A blind contour portrait of their neighbour - and to add a twist - using only a twig pen and ink!! The twig pens, were again my sister's hard work - she collected them and cleaned off the bark; sharpened the ends - she deserves a medal...(and this is in addition to doing all the admin for the day - maybe I need her in Brisbane?)

I had a wonderful group - enthusiastic, talented and prepared to experiment with some wonderful results. Here are some examples of the work done taken during the day.

A special thank you to my sister and her sister-in-law (she helped with the catering) and all the lovely artists who helped make the day so enjoyable.

The experience of the day reinforced the realisation that my decision to make painting and teaching the focus of my life was absolutely the right one - I do so love what I do!

Friday, 6 December 2013

During the night the sad news came that the people of South Africa and indeed the world have been expecting for some time - the passing of our hero Nelson Mandela - Madiba - Tata - father. It is especially poignant for this to happen while I am visiting from Australia.

As I move around the country visiting family, and as I experience the bustle, the crowds, the chaotic traffic, the warmth of the people it's as though I haven'tbeen away.

As the country mourns the loss of a special man, a man without equal, our thoughts and prayers go to his family. May his legacy of love for all people and his enduring wish for peace be a lasting gift to the country and the world.

There
were times, especially in the early days, when I questioned my sanity and doubted
my decision to bid farewell to the familiar and the comfortable for an uncertain future. My grandson, with the wisdom of the young, asked me, just before I left, what I was going to do in Australia. I replied that I planned to be an artist and to teach art. He was voicing the question many were not asking.He said to me " What if that doesn't work,Gran?"

At a loss for words, I most likely said something along the lines of "I'll have to think of Plan B."

However,
Australia has been really good to me and there's been no need for alternate plans. The people have opened their hearts to me
and given me work - students have attended my classes and workshops, offering
friendship as well as their attendance at my classes - helps keep the wolf from
the door; clients have trusted me with their special commissions and others
have loved and bought my paintings.

Thank
you.

As you read this I will be on a plane to returning for my first visit back to South
Africa - and I can’t wait. I am so excited to see my family and my friends, who
have been on my mind and in my heart since I left.

2nd December 2013 - the post didn't publish as planned...so better late than never...

Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Yesterday was spent doing a workshop at Arthouse Northside.
The topic was Watercolour - New Directions. My enthusiastic participants had great
fun - mostly playing - and were not too concerned about the end product.

Play is the key to creativity. Play gives you licence to
make a mess; discover new tools; try out new techniques; mix new colours.

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

I have wanted to do a design re-vamp here for some time. Lately I find that reading white text on a black background is difficult and after a while my eyes hurt...The grey background I used to have was easier on the eye but I decided to go minimal and switch to a white background with grey text.The Pages have moved to the top of the blog under the header but otherwise everything is where it was.I feel a little silly telling you this when you can see for yourself the changes I've made!!I would love to know what you think of the changes.... go on, be brave - leave a comment, please.

Saturday, 26 October 2013

The Brisbane Urban Sketchers were out last Saturday for the 41st Worldwide Sketchcrawl. The group used the City Cat service starting in the city and stopping off to sketch along the way. I could only join late - but luckily I was in time for lunch. The lunch at the Northshore Riverside Cafe was delicious. These are my sketches from the afternoon.I used my Stillman & Birn Alpha Sketchbook which worked well for these drawings.

Saturday, 19 October 2013

There was a bumper crowd at Percolator Gallery for the opening of cARTwheel Collaborative's exhibition. It was wonderful to have so much support for our work.To view all the paintings I have on the show please go to this page Painting's at Percolator Gallery

Sunday, 13 October 2013

This painting is part of the
body of work I will show at a group exhibition opening this week. The paintings
are oil on canvas as well as a few small watercolours on paper.

To see my paintings on the Exhibition please click on this page: Paintings at Percolator Gallery.

Once the exhibition is open the link will be live.

The exhibition is
at Percolator Gallery 134 Latrobe Street, Paddington

Thursday 17th to
Sunday 27th October.

cARTwheel Collaborative was created in 2012 by an
eclectic group of Brisbane Artists who share a love of art. The group provides
a mutually supportive environment, stimulating our creative adventures. The
decision to exhibit together in a group show was a natural progression.

The name arose out of a brain-storming session. It’s
fun and quirky, and is both dynamic and symbolic. We enjoyed that cARTwheel has
the powerful symbol of a circle, signifying an unending ring of support. The
movement of the cartwheel allows us to pick up talented artists on our journey.
Moreover ART is an integral part of the name.

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Days and weeks come and go as the year speeds to its end. In
two months’ time I will be on my way to South Africa to visit my family there -
a long time - three years since I saw them last. How good it will be to catch
up with everyone?

In the meantime it’s back to the daily routine. The Studio
will open for classes next week as we start the last term of the year.

Classes are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.00pm.

The classes are small so each artist can pursue their favourite medium. I have
some people drawing only; others work in watercolour, acrylic or oils.

There will also be a couple of workshops before the end of
term. More details on these will be posted on this blog.

There are some places available on Thursday and Friday so let
me know if you are interested and I can send you more information.

A couple of commissions have kept me busy during the break. This
painting was such fun. My client had recently built a Pizza oven on his patio
and wanted something different for the wall.

I enjoyed including all the
delicious ingredients that make a good pizza, and of course a glass of red was
mandatory.I have been assured he won’t be charging his friends when they
call round for a pizza!

Thursday, 19 September 2013

Walks
along the beach are the one thing that I really miss about living here. Now
before you say - but there are great beaches here - absolutely - but they
aren't on my doorstep. I need to drive for a couple of hours rather than
fifteen minutes down the road.

However, I
have found Bunya Riverside. It is an idyllic spot close to my home. It is very
tranquil with a path along the river bank, meandering between trees.
Reflections fascinate me - there is the magical quality of doubling a beautiful
vista.

My usual
process is to work from plein air sketches and photographs. My aim is never a
completely representational painting, but rather an image that has been edited,
altered and transformed. Completing the painting away from the inspiration
allows my inner sense of place to be foremost, rather than a slavish rendering
of the scene before me.

The use
of photographs originates from my years of living in South Africa where painting
in the countryside was fraught with danger. Even stopping along the road to
take photographs could often be extremely risky. Consequently, I am used to
absorbing the essence quickly and then using the photographic images as a
backup.

When an
artist takes pictures it's hard to not to edit and compose to such an extent
that when back in the studio one often wishes the zoom had not been so
enthusiastic and that extra details just beyond the image were included.

This
painting started with a bright under painting of Permanent Rose and a mixture of Cadmium Yellow and Indian Yellow. There are two benefits: the under-painting gives the painting a
warm tone and helps banish the fear of the white canvas.I was so sure that I had some work in progress photographs bit either they are hidden in my vast store of photo files or I got so carried away that I forgot to take any. I do have some of the plein air sketches. These will give an idea of the origins of the composition.

When I
start a painting I refer to my sketches and photographs so I have a framework
for the composition. Later in the process the photographs are abandoned as the
painting takes on a life of its own. Occasionally, when I lose my way, I go
back to the sketches and re-discover elements that I feel need to be included
in the painting.

Knowing
when to stop is an art in itself - and I'm afraid I don't really have an easy
solution. I get to a stage when I feel there is nothing more to add - or
remove.

This painting has been accepted for the Moreton Bay Regional Art Awards. The exhibition opens on Friday 11th October at the Strathpine Community Centre. You can view all the finalists here.

Sunday, 18 August 2013

What a special day! I joined members of the Urban Sketchers Brisbane at the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. The weather was perfect - warm and sunny but not too hot.

It was also a day of celebration - The Japanese Cultural Day was held in the Japanese Gardens, hosted by the Japanese Consulate General. Crowds flocked to watch interactive demonstrations of the traditional tea ceremony, ikebana and origami.

Next to this beautiful shady bamboo water feature, I found a lovely flat rock to use as a seat while I did this sketch. Children came to look and dip their fingers in the cool clear water or watch the lizards dart around on the rocks.

It's the first opportunity I had to try out a new A4 Moleskine watercolour sketchbook out of the studio. The paper is great and very responsive to both ink and watercolour. Balancing the large format book, paintbox, and small water bottle took a bit of practice.

Later in the afternoon after lunch we returned to do a little more sketching. I wanted to complete a sketch I had started earlier. I had struggled to draw the panorama because of the crowds walking along the path in front of me.We were treated to the haunting sounds of Japanese music drifting across the water.It was a great way to spend the day, sketching with friends in a perfect setting.

Sunday, 11 August 2013

While I would love to continue to travel the world I am so fortunate
that I can enjoy beautiful places by painting them in my studio. I have never had the opportunity to visit Greece so a recent commission to capture a wonderful holiday there was almost as good as travelling there myself.

This first painting is Avlemonos on the island of Kythira.
The sea is the most unbelievable colour - clear and translucent. The water is Turquoise,
Cerulean, cobalt, sapphire, all in wonderful harmony; crisp white buildings
with blue windows complete the picture.

From rocky outcrops one looks
down to the sea and the beach below, personally it almost gave me a feeling of
being too close to the edge. (But then I do have a thing about heights)

In some ways it was really difficult to photograph the painting with any degree of accuracy, and this photo does note really do justice to the colours.

The second painting is set in the fishing village,
Monemvasia located on a small peninsula on the east coast of the Peloponnese. Fishing boats cast
interesting reflections with the Rock of Monemvasia in the background.

A highlight was delivering the paintings (always with my heart pounding, wondering how the paintings will be received) and seeing that the paintings had fulfilled my client's expectations.

Sunday, 4 August 2013

It was supposed to be a quick fix - change a number on my Commissioned Portraits page, alter some wording and be finished.

Then, disaster - the Page has disappeared. It's so easily done - click on the wrong bit while on the iPad and oops - the page is gone - forever!! This is not the first time the flick of a careless finger has cost me dearly.

So now after fetching my laptop from home; (I'm away for the weekend) finding the saved copy of the file; deciding the page needed editing anyway; noticing that some links on other pages were not working - they slipped through the net when I upgraded my website, I've been busy for over two hours !

My new resolution - leave tinkering with the pages completely alone when not working form the safety of the laptop.

On the bright side though, it was great to deliver the painting to Transform Hair on Friday afternoon. They were thrilled with it - it's always so satisfying when a commission meets with approval.